The Nigerian Senate has launched an in-depth investigation into the state of aviation safety across the country, following a disturbing incident involving an Air Peace aircraft that skidded off the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport.
This decision was prompted by a motion introduced on the Senate floor by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), who raised alarms over critical safety lapses flagged in a report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion and directed the Senate Committee on Aviation to engage extensively with key industry stakeholders including the NSIB, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and airline operators, to thoroughly examine the root causes of recent safety breaches.
The committee is expected to deliver its findings within six weeks.
In a related development, the Senate also urged the Federal Government to expedite the construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The lawmakers argued that the current single-runway setup posed both operational and safety risks, especially in the event of an emergency or technical failure.
They noted that having only one runway creates a serious bottleneck for air traffic in the nation’s capital, potentially grounding flights and limiting emergency response options.
The NSIB report on the June 22, 2025 runway excursion by a Boeing 737-500 operated by Air Peace highlighted a troubling mix of safety shortcomings.
These included poor runway surface conditions, inadequate airfield lighting, questionable decision-making by the flight crew, and lapses in regulatory oversight.
Although the incident did not result in fatalities or injuries, lawmakers stressed that it reflects a growing pattern of aviation safety challenges that must be addressed before a more serious tragedy occurs.
“The frequency of these incidents is deeply concerning. We must not wait for a disaster before taking action, ”Senator Buhari stated.
The probe followed similar safety-related events in recent months, including a Max Air aircraft losing multiple tyres during a takeoff attempt in Adamawa State and ongoing revelations about the financial unsustainability of many Nigerian airports.
According to FAAN, only three out of Nigeria’s 22 airports currently operate at a profit, with the rest heavily subsidised by the government.
As the Aviation Committee prepares to launch its inquiry, experts say the Senate’s renewed attention on air safety could mark a critical step toward restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s air travel infrastructure.
